Suspect in dozens of break-ins charged with 94 felonies

More charges have been filed against a man, accused of stealing jewelry from almost 50 homes across Craven County.

District Attorney Scott Thomas said 31-year-old Gregory Dustin Hamilton is facing a total of 94 felony charges of breaking and entering and larceny.

Hamilton was arrested last December for a string of break-ins in Trent Woods. But while in custody, New Bern Police connected him to 36 other break-ins within the city limit, said Thomas.

Between September and December of 2012, Hamilton broke into 47 homes, investigators said. He allegedly stole jewelry from those homes, then pawned them.

Champ Mitchell told NewsChannel 12 that he was one of Hamilton’s victims. Mitchell said his wife returned home one night last fall, only to find her jewelry box completely cleared out.

“If we had not been going out that evening [and] my wife hadn’t been going to get jewelry out to put on, we wouldn't have known," said Mitchell. "Because of the fear of break-ins, we have people who are actually walking around their homes with loaded weapons. And if Hamilton ever gets back out, I am very much afraid someone will get hurt."

“I certainly hope they will keep him in jail and that ultimately he will do his time in the state penitentiary," said Mitchell.

Police said in many of the cases they’re investigating, there was no forced entry into the homes. With that in mind, officers are reminding residents to lock their doors.

New Bern Police have recovered some of the stolen jewelry.

Calvin Dawson, 32, is wanted in connection with these crimes, because he allegedly drove the getaway car, investigators said. Dawson was expected to turn himself in on Friday.

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